How to Refinish a Hardwood Floor

Things You’ll Need:

  • Wide brooms
  • Heavy and light sandpaper
  • Gloves
  • Rollers with long handle
  • Floor wax or polyurethane finish
  • Brushes
  • Dust masks
  • Wood stain
  • A dozen or so rags
  • Floor sanders and edger
  • Shop vacuums

After getting all the things you’ll need, here are the steps you need to follow when having a wood floor refinishing:

Step 1

Remove all carpeting and rugs from the hardwood surface. Check for nails, tacks or staples. Be sure to remove them as well.

Step 2

Rent a sander from a local shop. Be careful if using a drum sander. These should be kept moving all the time. If they are left in any one place too long they will permanently damage the floor by sanding a hole through the floor. What ever type of sander you choose, get a demo before you leave the store.

Step 3

Get the sand paper you need to refinish the floor. Get an array of sandpaper in a range of grits 36, 60, 80, and 100. Rental outlets may allow you to return any unused sandpaper. Ask about their return policies before you leave the store.

Step 4

Clip the heaviest 36 grit paper to your sanding machine. Sand the floor with the gran of the wood in even motions. Do not sand against the wood grain.

Step 5

Keep the machine in motion. If you scratch the floor surface, go over the spot with long strokes to even the surface out again.

Step 6

Change the sand paper to 60 grit. Use a vacuum to pick up the remnants when changing the sandpaper. The best way to achieve a great look is to move gradually from 36 to 60 to 80 to 100 grit paper.

Step 7

If you need to get the edges of the room you can rent an edging machine to accomplish this. Use the same steps above for the use of the edging machine.

Step 8

If you want to stain your floor, clean it well at this stage. Use a vacuum cleaner and tack rag to pick up fine particles left from the sanding process. Ventilate your work area.

Step 9

If you want a darker stain use a brush to apply it. If you want a lighter stain use a cloth to apply it. Apply the stain using either method in long, even strokes. Go with the grain of the wood.

Step 10

Allow the coat of stain to completely dry. Once dry determine if you need to apply any additional coats. Of so, reapply another coat of your stain using the same methods as above.

Step 11

Apply a polyurethane finish. Stir the polyurethane well making sure no air bubbles are present. Apply the polyurethane with a brush. Go with the grain of the wood. Allow finish to dry. This may take several hours. Add a second coat. Allow to dry overnight.